HANDMADE HOLIDAYS

Gift pick No. 2: Regina Vorgang rugs and tapestries

They do call it a "wish list," after all. We recently found Regina Vorgang's rugs and tapestries, all woven by hand on her loom in Camarillo, in the Ova Arts gallery in Ojai. Although the prices are far higher than your typical gift, when putting together our Handmade Holidays gift guide, we imagined more than a few generous fans of original design putting one under their tree.

Vorgang crafted "Paint Horse," pictured above at right, from undyed Churro sheep wool, the material used in Navajo rugs. It's 30 by 50 inches and sells for $1,000. The wool piece above at left, "Visions," is 48 by 70 inches and sells for $2,400. (The photo collage distorts the relative dimensions of the two pieces.)

When asked if customers ever mount her work as wall art, Vorgang said yes and added that the rugs also get draped over the backs of sofas. One customer hangs his on a door that's always opens, she said. But given the durability of the material, Vorgang's hope is that customers use the rugs as rugs. Think of them as artwork for the floor, she said.

Vorgang sells her work through Ova Arts or her own site, Regina Design. Her studio is part of Studio Channel Islands Art Center in Camarillo, open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the first Saturday of each month. Its holiday open studio event is scheduled for 4 to 8 p.m. Dec. 6, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 7 and noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 8. The events are free.

We're posting a different pick for unique, handmade holiday gifts every day through Christmas Eve. Bookmark us and check back daily.